How Do You Cope With Your Depression?

[Theland1]

Some time ago, I managed to pack in smoking, reduced my drinking, bought a bike and got lots of physical exercise, and I felt like a million dollars. I thought i had it cracked.
Then I slipped into my old ways. The bike is rusting, I am smoking, and I am drinking again.
I am weak, I know, but just wanted to ask you all, apart from medication, what do you do to cope with depression?

[beso]

I do singing.

[cazzz1975]

most people do as you have done theland, lifestyle changes that are dramatic like the ones you had undertaken are quite hard to maintain.

go easy on yourself, your body and habits are life long, so a return to "the old you" is not being weak its about just being you. maybe to make more permanant changes you have to change something smaller and gradual, dont beat yourself up about your weaknesses. we all have them!

[jen78]

Small changes, the highs might not be quite so high but then the lows may not be quite so low.

A control and coping strategy when you feel yourself starting to slip can help too.

[Panic Button]

Re read your question.

There is your answer.

Oil up the bike, and get on it again. You know the prize - you will feel like a million dollars.

[lil123]

I use visualization.
Think of what you want your life to be like. Write it down have a goal plan and a focus.
I also listen to music that motivates me.
This works for me as I have been at some low points in my life like when I had to live in a refuge for 10months with my children.
2 years on my life is re built but only because I did this and believed in my self.

[DrFilth]

75mg dosulepin


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[firewatch]

I go for walks, i have suffered depression on and off for years,since my mothers suicide.
My husband once called me a emotionally unstable cripple, but i got over it went back to college and got a job i love.
The depression is still there and i have my down days, but they don't notice at work they think my arthritis is playing me up.

[Clanad]

I've seen your threads reaching out for help, Theland, and I think you're overlooking the spiritual aspects of your situation. However, that would be a long subject and not well adapted to sites such as these, so just let me say (never having suffered from what you vividly describe) friends that have had such experience all have one thing in common in successfully over comming or at least being able to function and move on; goal setting and accomplishment.
One friend, a man nearly 60 years old, that had dealt with depression for over 20 years, decided one day, after receiving advice from a Pastor friend,by the way, to make a list of only three things that he could accomplish. The list had to be simple, do-able and recordable. The first thing on his list, which he shared with me, was so mundane to me, but became a point of demarcation to which he still refers today as "The Shemoth" (Exodus) (he is Jewish). That one thing was; clean the garage. It was a mess, but did fulfill the three requiremetns. It was simple; trash can, broom and garden hose. It was certainly do-able, (although a two day job evolved into three weeks) and he made it recordable with a simple log of events which he faithfully entered on a daily basis at exactly 7:00 PM..
The remaining three were equally as everyday, by my standards. The next was recording tjust one thing he did everyday that required faith.

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

His list was surprisingly insightful... turning on an electric light, for example, was, at its essence, an act of faith, since he had no idea what happened when he "flipped th switch" and the light illuminated (he has since educated himself, an event in itself). Several other similar things gave me pause as I recognized the thoughtfullnes he was expressing.
The last item was to record the name of one person who had touched his life on a specific date. That date was required to be exactly one week ago on the same day of the week. The person didn't have to be especially significant, but he had to memorialize the event, however small, by writing a short sentence about him/her. That too, was extemely revealing to me.

Tovi, has become dedicated to updating The List and accomplishing things so simple but profound in light of his depression, that I'm in awe of his survival and flowering. He still has the occasional really bad day, but constantly looks forward to when he can resume his list...
Shalom!....

[jake-the-peg]

I think you've answered your own question.

You were exercising - you felt great - you stopped it went to pot.

Exercise is known to be really effective against depression but it's hard to keep up especially this time of year.

I'm pretty weak too - I have a drink problem that I now accept I'll always have. What was important for me was to treat each day as it came. To build up a "bank" of days when I hadn't drunk and after a while the fear of slipping back to 0 again helped me stay dry.

Try and get back on the exercise - It helped me too.

I found running and the Gym very boring. I took up Karate when my son did and kept on when he stopped.

I found it challenging physically and mentally - you can't let your mind wander. And it's hard to give up. People train together and you don't want to skip one as it feels like letting people down.

It's not for everyone but it works for me!

[wolf63]

I think that the only way to cope is to take one step at a time towards the light, tiny steps are okay, but you have to keep moving out of the darkness.

I have been bipolar for 30 years (I am 45) and it is hard. I no longer work but volunteer two half days per week in an Oxfam bookshop. I find that this helps - great people to work with and not too much pressure.

I don't drink but am very overweight and drink much much too much Pepsi Max. I love chocolate - for hormonal reasons only of course.

I have a wicked sense of humour and this always helps.

As DrFilth says - keep taking the tablets.

[Le Chat]

That was a lovely answer from Clannad; an exercise that was practical, time and mind occupying and giving a sense of satisfaction.
I had bad depression after the birth of my second child (I had had bouts in previous years but nothing like that one) I ended up going for an 8 day intensive, in-house course, that is the equivalent of approx. 3yrs therapy. www.hoffmaninstitute.com It is on the south coast of England.
I wont go into details, as it would take too long but it 'sorts you out' once and for all. Many lives have been changed for the better by this revealing course.

[Le Chat]

Sorry web address for The Hoffman Institute is www.hoffmaninstitute.co.uk.

[blueflame68]

what corce the depression,do plenty of excise if u can,try and think of good things rarder than bad,keep bizzy,eat good food,make sure u get the right medication for it.....